Following the analysis of several of Monteiro Lobato's children's works, this article proposes a rethinking on the status of the character named Narizinho as it pertains to the development and dynamics of the "Lobato Universe". The hypothesis emphasizes that Narizinho's journey as a main character and heroine in the compilation of stories "Reinações de Narizinho" and her metamorphoses into a secondary character in the later plots and adventures are a direct result of the changes in Childhood conceptions, style, as well as in social demands and their effect on the literary market at the time. All the above factors have had a direct influence on the author's creation and development of Narizinho. Narizinho is the one character who is the closest to the adult world and she is also the one who validates its norms and values as she constantly recites them and seldom infringes on them. The frequency with which Narizinho appears in several stories and her absence in some are in direct contrast with the rise of the character named Emilia, who later becomes a larger than life character. In this context, Narizinho and her virtues seem to be remnants of a literature for children which make use of pedagogical utilitarian characteristics as a base, a trend in Brazil that was first surpassed by Monteiro Lobato himself.
Children's literature; Characters; Childhood; Education